HOW THIS FASHION STYLIST IS REINVENTING HIS ARTISTRY AND REIMAGINING THE INDUSTRY

BY RHIANNA JONES

For any sartorial-minded reader, the name Dion “Bleu” Drake might ring a few bells, as he’s a longtime collaborator and stylist for INDUSTRY’s many fashion shoots. While stylists often stay behind the scenes, tantalizing our senses through textures, silhouettes, and colors, Bleu has decided to add another hat to his expansive repertoire: designer.

The self-proclaimed “style psychologist” loves fashion as an emotional, mental, and aspirational experience. “My job as a stylist is to help build confidence and esteem to promote body positivity and make my clients feel just as powerful moving forward in life as the outfit itself,” he said. “If you look the part, you usually feel it too.”

His signature “Edgy Glam” aesthetic is rooted in years researching fashion and psychology, and the rock-solid brand relationships he’s cultivated throughout his career. Similarly, his foray into design sprang from a deeper dive into his craft.

“As creatives we have to wear so many hats; the longer you’re in the business, building a view of the industry as a whole, sometimes we’re moved to take our abilities a step further.”

And when the pandemic hit, it gave him, like many others, the space to explore new chapters and next moves. This next move is MR. BLEU, a collection of luxury T-shirts, joggers, and kimonos set to drop this spring. “I wear some sort of jogger/ T-shirt combo probably 99% of the year, and with COVID that has quickly become the universal uniform. I’m designing MR. BLEU to focus on consumers who are obsessed with comfort without giving up high design or luxury fabrics.”

But his consciousness extends far beyond patterns and textures; the designer is imbued with a desire to encourage a wealth of opportunity, too, and use his platform to promote positive change in the industry.

“Working in fashion, my main goal is to always open doors for people of color. I try to feature independent designers in major editorials, hiring black and brown models and am always very intentional in the messages I present to the world through my work.”

The designer explained he wants to be an exemplar for not only his younger relatives, but for aspiring creatives who contact him out of inspiration. Bleu e used his intent is to create opportunities for himself that will power the future for those who follow.

PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Oberlin
GROOMING Tatiyana Elias, using Bdellium tools and TMF
MODEL Jeff Thomas, LA Model Management
ASSISTANT Art Ash
STYLIST Dion “Bleu” Drake
MR. BLEU styledbybleu.com